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Donald Trump calls billionaire Koch brothers a "total joke"

President Donald Trump lashed out at the billionaire Koch brothers, a day after Charles Koch criticized the president's trade policies and said Republicans should no longer take the financial support of their powerful network for granted.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump lashed out at the billionaire Koch brothers, two days after Charles Koch criticized the president's trade policies and said Republicans should no longer take the financial support of their powerful network for granted.

"The globalist Koch Brothers, who have become a total joke in real Republican circles, are against Strong Borders and Powerful Trade," Trump tweeted, adding that he never sought their support "because I don’t need their money or bad ideas."

At a weekend gathering with donors in Colorado Springs, Charles Koch criticized Trump’s tariff battles with China, Mexico and other countries, saying the trade tensions could trigger a recession if they become severe enough.

Koch did not criticize Trump directly but one of his top aides, Brian Hooks, said the White House’s “divisiveness” was harmful to the country. Koch did not support Trump during the 2016 election.

The globalist Koch Brothers, who have become a total joke in real Republican circles, are against Strong Borders and Powerful Trade. I never sought their support because I don’t need their money or bad ideas. They love my Tax & Regulation Cuts, Judicial picks & more. I made.....

....them richer. Their network is highly overrated, I have beaten them at every turn. They want to protect their companies outside the U.S. from being taxed, I’m for America First & the American Worker - a puppet for no one. Two nice guys with bad ideas. Make America Great Again!

Trump called the Kochs "two nice guys with bad ideas," though he acknowledged that they support the administration's tax cuts, deregulation agenda, and judicial picks.

"Their network is highly overrated," Trump said. "I have beaten them at every turn. They want to protect their companies outside the U.S. from being taxed, I’m for America First & the American Worker — a puppet for no one."

In a statement responding to Trump, Koch network spokesman James Davis said the group supports "policies that help all people improve their lives. We look forward to working with anyone to do so.”

Charles Koch, the chairman and CEO of the industrial conglomerate Koch Industries, oversees the network of about 700 donors. His younger brother, David Koch, retired from the company and network in June.

Vice President Pence has strong ties to the Kochs from his time in Congress and as Indiana governor. He appeared at a Koch gathering last October in New York to seek the donors’ support for the massive tax cut package Trump signed into law late last year.

The network, launched in 2003 by Charles Koch, has become an influential force in Republican politics and plans to spend as much as $400 million on politics and policy work in the current two-year election cycle.